CVE-2020-11111: jackson-databind mishandles the interaction between serialization gadgets and typing
Summary
CVE-2020-11111: jackson-databind mishandles the interaction between serialization gadgets and typing. Affects com.fasterxml.jackson.core:jackson-databind versions >= 2.9.0, < 2.9.10.4. Fixed in 2.9.10.4. How to fix ↓
Also tracked for
- jackson-databind · Debian:11
The same CVE-2020-11111 is tracked separately for each ecosystem and vendor. Its fix information is the same; the package and affected versions differ.
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Background
The jackson-databind package is a part of the FasterXML Jackson library, which provides functionality for converting Java objects to JSON and vice versa. It is widely used in Java applications for data serialization and deserialization. This vulnerability affects versions of jackson-databind prior to 2.9.10.4. The vulnerability arises from the mishandling of the interaction between serialization gadgets and typing, specifically related to org.apache.activemq.* (aka activemq-jms, activemq-core, activemq-pool, and activemq-pool-jms).
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in jackson-databind can be exploited by an attacker to execute arbitrary code remotely. By leveraging the mishandling of serialization gadgets and typing, an attacker can craft a malicious payload that, when deserialized, triggers the execution of arbitrary code on the target system. This can lead to various consequences, including remote code execution, information disclosure, and denial of service.
How To Fix
Latest published version: 2.22.4 as of 23 Oct 2026
Upgrading to it may include breaking changes; the version below is the minimum fixed release for this vulnerability.
If you need the minimum change
2.9.10.4
This is the first release that contains the fix.
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Workaround
As a workaround, if upgrading to the fixed version is not immediately feasible, developers can consider implementing input validation and filtering mechanisms to mitigate the risk of deserialization attacks. By carefully validating and sanitizing input data before deserialization, the impact of this vulnerability can be reduced. However, this should be seen as a temporary solution, and upgrading to the latest version is still strongly recommended.
Conclusion
The vulnerability in jackson-databind can have severe consequences, including remote code execution and information disclosure. It is crucial for developers to promptly upgrade to the fixed version and follow secure coding practices to prevent the exploitation of deserialization vulnerabilities. For further support and assistance in vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.
See every vulnerability recorded for com.fasterxml.jackson.core:jackson-databind →
FAQ
jackson-databind is a library that provides functionality for converting Java objects to JSON and vice versa. It is commonly used for data serialization and deserialization in Java applications.
This vulnerability allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code remotely, potentially leading to remote code execution, information disclosure, and denial of service.
Versions of jackson-databind prior to 2.9.10.4 are affected by this vulnerability.
To fix this vulnerability, it is recommended to upgrade the jackson-databind package to version 2.9.10.4 or later. Developers should also follow secure coding practices and validate input data to prevent deserialization vulnerabilities.
As a temporary workaround, developers can implement input validation and filtering mechanisms to mitigate the risk of deserialization attacks. However, upgrading to the latest version is still strongly recommended.
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